Race briefing we were told there was over 100 riders before cruising down the main fire road for the start where again I was on the outfield but at the front. Sitting on the start line all I could think about was food as I was feeling unusually hungry still after a big breakfast. The usual count down from 15 seconds gave me about 3 ( I am getting use to the starters counting down now). A rush up the hill to the first section of fire road was a bit faster than I had expected & I was riding in around 14th position as we took the first turn into the single track. The first lap was at a good pace with all the riders in front of me until around half way where the lead riders seemed to be pulling away from me when two riders in front seemed to settle into a slower pace. At the first opportunity I went around and attempted to chase down the lead riders while slightly breaking traction on the rear tyre every now & then as well as the chain skipping over the gear teeth due to wear when I pushed hard out of the corners. As the race went on I was loosing energy fast & trying to gain it back by taking twice the intake of Hammer gel than I normally would, but I was unusually not seeing any effect still feeling very lethargic.
Just passed the half way mark I was caught by Silas Sutherland & Mark Drury from the 40+ age category that started 30 seconds behind us Opens & at this point I knew I was in trouble now loosing all motivation to keep pushing myself.
Half way through the last lap I was caught & over taken by Gavin Jackson, another rider in the 40+ charging to the finish line as he eagerly made his way through the slower riders in front. After passing the riders myself I decided no matter what, I was not going to let this guy beat me, as anger with myself began to fuel my aching muscles I chased him down and sat on his wheel till the last 200mtrs of trail where I went around into the finish out of breath & disappointed with my effort on the day.
After arriving home I had a big feed & hot shower before going to bed early. Waking the next morning with symptoms of a cold virus. That explained the ordeal of the race day & why I was hungry with a headache with my body starving for food to fight off the bug, after a visit to the Dr I was booked in for a blood test to find out if there is an answer for me getting a third cold & feeling light headed with no energy in as many months & a continuous runny nose in between. Yet to have the test results back while writing this blog, but if all comes back OK I will have to change my diet to boost my body's immune system up.